Cuba stressed that it will defend its sovereignty “firmly” after announcing the thwarting of an armed infiltration attempt from the United States that led to the death of at least 4 people and the injury of 6 others in a clash with the Coast Guard.

Published on: 02/27/2026 - 04:24Last updated: 02/27/2026 - 07:15

Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Thursday that his country will confront "with firmness and firmness" any "terrorist and mercenary aggression" targeting its sovereignty and stability, after an exchange of fire between a boat registered in the United States and the Cuban Coast Guard near the Cuban coast.

Diaz-Canel explained in a post on the “X” platform that Cuba will not tolerate any attempt to undermine its national security, while the authorities in Havana announced that on Wednesday they thwarted an attempt to infiltrate armed men from the United States, after the Coast Guard opened fire on a speedboat registered in the state of Florida, killing 4 people and wounding 6 others.

The Cuban Ministry of the Interior reported that those arrested after the incident said that they “intended to carry out an infiltration operation for terrorist purposes,” while Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez stated on “X” that his country “has been forced since 1959” to confront “terrorist and aggressive” infiltration operations launched from American territory, and the Cuban people paid a “heavy” price for them in terms of victims and material losses.

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In Washington, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that his country is independently investigating what happened and will respond “accordingly,” explaining that with the availability of more information, the United States will be “ready to respond according to what the data requires.” He categorically denied that US government elements had a role in the operation or that it was part of official activity by the US authorities.

Also from the American side, an official was quoted as saying that “at least two” of the boat’s passengers were American citizens, one of whom was killed and the other was injured, while a third was carrying an American “K-1” visa, with the possibility that among the passengers were other permanent residency holders.

The Cuban government indicated that two of the wounded were on the wanted list subject to criminal investigations in Cuba, and that a Cuban citizen “sent from the United States to secure the reception of the armed group” was arrested in the country and “confessed to his actions.”

This incident coincided with the escalation of tension in recent weeks between the United States and Cuba, which is only about 160 kilometers from Florida, and with Washington announcing its intention to ease the oil blockade on the island following the interruption of Venezuelan supplies since January after the United States overthrew Nicolas Maduro, while Havana confirmed that shots were fired from the boat towards Coast Guard members who were approaching to inspect it, which led to the injury of the captain of the Cuban ship.

France 24/AFP

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